Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“What's that?” The Saiyan prince pointed his index finger.

“Oh, it's some new sweet treat from a planet that Lord Frieza owns. Real expensive!”

The guard chewed on the colourful rock looking things.

“I want one.” The boy demanded.

“Oh, I'm very sorry, Prince Vegeta, but I've promised the rest to my mate-”

“I don't care! I want one!” He stamped his foot and the guard sighed.

“Fine.” He placed in the boy's gloved hand a blue piece. Vegeta shoved it into his mouth, chewed for a moment, then spat it out at the guard.

“Ew! It's sour! Get out of my sight!”

He wiped the remnants off of his tongue.

“I-I'm sorry, sir! But… this is my station. I can't move, your father told me to stay and guard the gates.”

The boy frowned.

“Oh. Well… think twice next time before giving me a bad tasting candy!”

Before the man could even argue back, Vegeta turned his back, cape swishing in the air, and headed inside the palace.

He tried to count all the people inside the hall. Some of them were Saiyans of the upper classes, or those who were part of his father's court. Some were decorated with medals or capes, and Vegeta recognised them as veterans of the war his father led.

Then there were the young women, maids and cooks, not many of them Saiyans, which he was glad to see. That kind of work was for the slaves Frieza sent from other planets, and not for his prideful people.

He walked around those tall warriors, many of them hardly acknowledging his presence. How disgraceful! 

“It's just ridiculous, these low-class warriors make too many problems, and- OW!”

Vegeta kicked Zorn's shin.

“Hmph! I didn't even use much strength!”

“What was that for?!” 

The man beside Zorn hid a laugh, and Vegeta glared at him, making his smile vanish.

“You saw me, and you didn't greet me! The Prince of all Saiyans, your future King, deserves respect!”

The child stood proudly, hands on his hips, tiny chest puffed out.

“Right… forgive me, my liege.”

Vegeta turned away, flicking his tail at him. 

‘There's nothing to do around here!’

He sighed, looking out of a window. Vegeta thought his disciplining of Zorn would make others pay attention to him, but apart from a bow or a salute, no-one said anything of substance to the child.

Once again, he ventured outside to the gates, and approached a different guard, who stood beside the entryway to the main base.

“Hey, you!” Vegeta pointed.

“Yes, Prince Vegeta?” He straightened his posture and held his hand in a salute.

‘Finally, some respect!’

“I want to go out on a mission. Right now!” Vegeta adjusted his scouter, preparing for his assignment.

“There are no assignments scheduled for you today, sir.” He replied and Vegeta scowled.

“Well, then, I suggest you go and find me one!” The boy exclaimed and the man gulped.

“All our requests from Lord Frieza have been fulfilled today, sire! You'll have to check back tomorrow morning. Besides… I haven't had any permission from King Vegeta to say that you're allowed to go out this week.”

“Damn…”

Vegeta recalled his father telling him he was not allowed to leave the Palace for a whole month, unless accompanied by him personally, after he had thrown a slight tantrum and 

refused to go to bed, and then killed a servant who was bothering him because he was so upset. Apparently, that servant was the chef who made the desserts that father enjoyed, or something, he wasn't really paying attention.

Vegeta stormed off back inside and headed to his bedroom, where, once in private, allowed himself to have a monologue.

“Father is only limiting my potential! He's keeping me in here, like a prisoner!” Vegeta placed his gloved palm against the curved glass window and looked outside to the main city of his planet.

“I'm royalty, and they treat me like nothing , always refusing to give me what I want!”

He lay down on his bed, which was far too big for him.

“I won't take it anymore! I'm going to sneak out… I'll see if people like me if I'm not a Prince!”

He formulated his plan. Vegeta would have to disguise himself as a low-class runt, and see first-hand what it was like for his people. The boy sat up slowly, wondering where to start. He glanced down at his royal armour. He couldn’t wear something like this, especially not the cape!

Vegeta hopped down from the bed and pulled open the wardrobe. He picked an older model of armour, something that he only really wore for intense training. It had no shoulder pads or anything to hold his cape on, and had scratches and marks from battles, nor a royal crest.

“Perfect!” Now he had to find other aspects of clothing. He tried to picture what the low-class children would look like, not that he’d seen many. The only others he’d met were all of high status, and wore similar clothing to him. 

He settled on a black undersuit that stopped above his knees and had no sleeves. Generally, he preferred his legs to be covered, knowing that the sun of their planet was brutal and many Saiyans stayed in the shade because of it. For shoes, he found some dirty old brown and black boots.

“There! These colours and styles are far less expensive!” Prince Vegeta put the garments on, leaving his usual clothes hung up for when he returned. 

He gazed upon himself in the mirror, but knew it wasn’t enough. He still looked far too rich. 

“Hmm… my tail…” He unfurled his tail from around his waist and used a brush to push some of the fur back and forth, making it look messy. His hair would need some work too, as it was so distinct and recognisable, but he decided on escaping first.

This time, he was glad to go unnoticed, though he did get one or two odd looks, but he would give them a harsh look back and they’d turn away and continue chatting or working. Vegeta made his way to the gates, where the same guard as earlier with the candy, remained standing in front of the passage into the city.

“Oh… hello again, sir.” The man tilted his head, as he was working something into his hair.

“What are you looking at?!” Vegeta scowled.

“Nothing, uh, I just haven’t seen you wear that before!” The guard nervously chuckled and messed with his hair some more.

“You take notice of what I wear? Like some creep?!” He scrunched up his nose in disgust and before the man could refuse and plead for forgiveness, Vegeta caught sight of his hair.

“What are you doing? What is that?” The boy interrogated him, hovering in the air for intimidation.

“Oh, this? It’s for my hair, you see. I know our hair is already thick and stiff, but standing out here all day makes me sweat, y’know, and my hair’s quite long and it’ll bother me, so my mate bought me this.”

He sighed and smiled.

“We’re always getting each other things, y’know?”

“Ew. That’s weird.” Vegeta folded his arms. His parents weren’t like that at all. Well, it was getting harder to recall now, since his mother had died over a year ago now, but they certainly would never have shown such a weak thing.

“Oh… well, it just keeps my hair in good shape…” The man closed the small jar.

“So… if you were to brush your hair differently, and put it on, would the shape hold?” The Prince asked, concocting a brilliant idea in his mind.

“Yeah, I tried that. But the thing is, if you get your hair wet, it’ll-”

“I want it.” Vegeta held out his hand.

“What?”

“Now!” Vegeta made a gesture with the same hand.

“Prince Vegeta, why would you want this? Look, you made me give you something earlier and-”

“Give me it or I’ll blast you and your stupid mate!”

The boy raised his hand and gathered his ki and the man yelped and tossed him the container.

“Gosh! Could I at least have it back when you’re done playing with it?” The guard asked and Vegeta rolled his eyes. 

“Fine.” 

“Okay… now could you just let me do my work?” He pleaded, and Vegeta scoffed,

“You’re terrible at this job anyway! I just saw someone sneak into this courtyard while you were messing around with your hair!”

Vegeta pointed behind him, exclaiming, “He could be anywhere now!”

“What?!” The guard stepped forward. “Why didn’t you say anything?!”

“Well, it’s not my job, is it?! Maybe if you weren’t so busy being vain, you’d have noticed!” Vegeta smirked and the man pressed the side button of his scouter.

“Did you see what he looked like?! Was he acting suspicious?”

Vegeta was so impressed with himself deep down that it took him a moment to process the question.

“Oh, um, yes , very suspicious! He was definitely a Saiyan, and he was dressed in… green? Or maybe it was blue, and his armour only had the shoulder bit on the left side… or maybe… the right side, he was rather quick, you see-”

“Shit! I should go look… but I can’t leave my position!” The guard’s face was full of panic; sweat beaded on his forehead and he was pacing back and forth in front of the gate.

“Oh, man… I’m gonna get fired if anyone finds out, though!”

“I think he could be some anti-monarchy terrorist! You’d better go look, and I’ll stay and watch the gate for you.”

Vegeta urged him. 

“But, sire, you’re only a child-”

“Don’t forget that I’m the most powerful child to ever exist in Saiyan history! Besides, if he really was some lunatic out to attack me for my position, he won’t find me where he thinks he will, so you’ll be able to hunt him down, but I’ll be out of harm’s way!”

Vegeta saw the man’s face shift through various expressions, before he finally took a deep breath.

“Okay. You stay right here! I'll alert the others after I do a sweep of the area myself, and I’ll be back soon, sir!”

Vegeta nodded, and the guard ran off after a quick salute to him. He watched the man as he went around the side of the building, and then made his move. No one else was in the courtyard, and Vegeta knew the guard would never find this supposed intruder, as he didn’t exist, so he hovered over to the gate and input the exit code, which he had seen someone type in before.

He slipped out of the large gate and shut it behind him quickly, then dashed behind an empty delivery crate that was just outside the walls of the palace, big enough to hide him. He opened the jar that he’d coaxed from that gullible guard and used his fingers to scoop out some of the sticky clear goop, grimacing at the texture. He grasped parts of his hair and pulled it into a different shape, pointing it down behind him and curving it outwards. His hair wasn’t as stiff and fixed as an adult’s, so he could use the gel rather easily, sweeping his bangs into place, making him look unrecognisable. For the last step of the transformation, the Prince used the dirt on the ground to make him look like the average runt, spitting on the dusty orange ground to make it wet and mixing it with his finger to make it better to apply and stick to his legs and arms. He swished his tail through the dirt and put a little on his now reshaped hair, which he was glad to see had solidified and dried in the sunlight.

The Prince carefully stepped into view and saw a puddle of water below a tap in the wall of a bar, where he could check his reflection. He was the perfect commoner!

Vegeta walked amongst his people. Some people brushed past him, and he had to stop himself from demanding an apology. They couldn’t give respect to a poor little orphaned runt. He was tiny amongst the crowds, rushing to and from the Frieza Force’s base, where warriors would embark on missions to clear planets and show their might as proud fighters. Some people walked in groups, battle squadrons, he reckoned by the way they laughed and shouted loudly. 

All the conversations he heard were so unlike anything he’d ever listened in on at home. In the palace, there was talk of new laws and restaurants that were off-planet, and about their children and of the old legends. 

Here, he heard men challenging each other to see who could drink more alcohol, and women yelling at their children to get inside, and absolute filth from the adolescents, returning home from training, and other people talking about the kinds of things he did not understand or see the appeal of; using one’s body in ways he could not see the benefits of on strength. 

It was a whirlwind of colours, sounds and smells, so unrestrained and free. 

At the corner of the street stood a young woman, leaning against a partially broken brick wall. She wasn’t wearing much, and Vegeta did not think it was very suitable for battle, so he walked up to her. The woman’s tail was adorned with ribbons and charms around it, and she gave smiles and winks to men and even women who walked past her.

“Hm?” She finally looked down at the boy. “Sorry, kid, I ain’t got money for ya.”

Vegeta shook his head. “Oh, I wasn’t going to ask for-”

“Beat it then!” She swatted at him with her tail. “I can’t have you standing around here, or people’ll think I’ve got a kid, and that isn’t good for business.”

Vegeta’s eyes scanned over her. She was wearing tall black boots with some weird heel, which he thought would have been hard to fight in, and skintight shorts, almost like underwear but no upper part like his undersuit. Instead she wore a pink band of material around her chest, but it didn’t leave much to the imagination. She had some natural muscle, but he could tell that she wasn’t that well trained.

“Business? Are you like a hired fighter?” He asked, head tilted to the side, still eyeing her up.

“Well, kid, I definitely get hired , but not for fightin’.” She chuckled and raised her arms above her head, stretching and pushing her chest out a little.

“Oh… then are you like a… servant? People pay you for help?” He circled her, and then sat up on the wall.

“Hm… yeah. Let’s go with that.”

Vegeta was about to ask the woman another question, but then a tall man, returning home from battle, handed her a small sack. She pulled it and inspected the contents for a moment.

She nodded her head and followed the man, and Vegeta was left puzzled. The strange, half-naked woman glanced back at him and smiled as she walked off, and Vegeta was left to wonder what other jobs his people did apart from fighting.

The boy made his way into the markets, where clothing, items from other planets, and food were sold by different sellers. Some of them were Saiyans, but some were aliens from within Frieza’s Force, who were looking to expand their business. Saiyans didn’t really have set times for meals, as many led hectic lives that revolved around training and fighting, and food was just for those times in between. Vegeta himself hadn’t eaten in hours, and would have likely been feasting at home at around this time, but here he had so many new options.

Meat sizzled on top of hot stones, with fires lit beneath them, started by ki. The sounds of sellers shouting out prices could be heard from all directions. People sat around in the shade: adults at tables in the shade under protective tents, whilst kids were on the ground. There were congregations of people around certain stalls, all hungry and to devour their next meal.

His stomach growled upon watching a woman carve meat with a huge cleaver, her gloved hands making light work out of such a large cut, then throwing it upon the fire, and another woman poured a marinade over it, making it sticky and a dark golden colour, the smoke drifting in front of him. His mouth watered, seeing the cooked meat being cut up into chunks and skewered onto a thin, but sturdy bone, likely a rib, and layered with edible leafs and charred vegetables, then glazed again in a different sauce. He watched a young soldier take it from the stand after it had been placed, and he began to tear the food from the bone, and the meat looked so succulent, Vegeta could practically taste the juices in his own mouth.

Vegeta needed to try it. 

The boy walked up to the stall, and eyed up the food that was already made, being kept warm by a weird looking box with fire within it, but it wasn’t touching the food, or even that close, it was just making sure it was still warm for the next customer. The sticks were upright in there, and he hovered slightly, still unnoticed by the others. Vegeta reached over while the woman was cutting the meat and wasn’t looking at him. He figured he could just do what the other man did and take one, so he did.

Vegeta opened his mouth and bit into the hot, fresh skewer, relishing in the taste and rapidly eating to the point where almost nothing was left until he was interrupted from the moment of bliss by the woman cutting the meat.

“Hey, kid! Pay first!” She yelled, waving her cleaver in front of him.

‘Pay?’ The disguised Prince had never paid for anything in his life. He thought that these markets would give food for free to soldiers, but then he remembered that he was no elite fighter to these women, but a street orphan.

Vegeta had no money on him at all, what could he do? He couldn’t fight back, because then he’d win easily, and that would garner attention, and he figured that they’d eventually notice that the heir to the throne has gone missing.

“I don’t have any…” Vegeta said.

The two women glared at him, stopping what they were doing. People were beginning to notice something was brewing, and he shifted his eyes from side to side, trying to think of a solution.

“We ain’t running a charity service here, kid! You’ve eaten almost all of it, so you’d better pay up!” The other woman spoke, leaning over the stall to give him a harsh look. 

“I just told you I don’t have any!” Vegeta yelled, forgetting that he was not their prince at that moment.

“I was hungry!”

“Come here, you thieving little shit!” One of the women was about to grab him, but then something moved, like a blur. Vegeta saw a boy with long, wild hair who had stolen one of the sticks.

“Hey!” The women turned their attention to the other kid.

“Damn! Thought I was fast enough this time…” The boy spoke just loud enough for Vegeta to hear.

“That’s it!” The same woman was finally angry enough to leave the stand, and Vegeta didn’t know what to do.

“Quick, let’s go!” The long haired boy pulled Vegeta by the arm and the two began to run through the streets, whilst the tall, livid Saiyan woman chased after them, still wielding the meat cleaver.

“Keep up!” The other boy yelled. “Otherwise it’s our tail meat on those sticks next!”

Vegeta had to put his trust in this low-class child, following him through the narrow streets, taking random turns to try and confuse her.

“When I catch you little thieves-”

She was gaining on them, and Vegeta had no idea how they were going to escape. 

“In there, go on!” The long haired boy told him to go through a door. “Trust me!” He stopped and turned around, firing a ki blast into the ground, making a cloud of dust.

“Go!” He pointed at the door, and Vegeta reluctantly did as he was told, knowing he had no other option.

The other child then followed him in and closed the door, before sitting down in front of it, breathing heavily.

“Aw man… it’s gone all cold!” He frowned at the stick of food he’d carried all the way here.

“Where are we?!” Vegeta asked, looking around. The stench of raw meat filled the room. 

The other child was eating the food he’d stolen anyway, and spoke with his mouth half-full.

“My mother works here. See all that meat hung up or in those containers? Yeah, she cuts it up and sells it.”

He finished eating while Vegeta was looking around. There was another door, and behind it he could hear voices and the sound of thuds.

“This is like the storage room. She’s in there, working at the front.” The boy casually threw the bone on the ground and stood up again, continuing,

“I knew the door was open, since I left here not long ago.”

“Oh…” Vegeta was curious about this boy. They were dressed very similarly but his demeanour was incredibly different. He was taller, and presumably a bit older, with his tail swaying freely, and not wrapped around his waist like it should have been.

“You’re welcome, by the way.” He said.

“For what?” Vegeta raised an eyebrow.

“For saving your ass! If you wanna steal from her, you gotta have a plan. Clearly you didn’t.” The older boy smirked and looked proud of himself.

“Hmph!” Vegeta folded his arms and reminded him that he almost got caught too.

“Yeah… well!” He flicked his tail and turned his head away. “I would have been faster, but you were there, and it distracted me and meant that they were on edge!”

“Of course.” Vegeta rolled his eyes.

“It doesn’t matter anyway now!” The boy extended his hand. “I’m Raditz, by the way. I’ve not seen you around before, what’s your name?”

Vegeta thought for a second, then answered,

“Zukini.”

“Oh, cool… so you’re named after the God of Pride?”

Vegeta, now in the role of Zukini, nodded his head.

“Well… seeing as you’re smaller and weaker than me…” Raditz thought, stroking his chin for a moment. Vegeta almost wanted to laugh at his assumption.

“I’ll take you under my wing!” Raditz announced.

“Okay.” Vegeta decided to just go along with it. What harm could it do? He’d find a way to disappear and go home later.

“Let’s go see my mother. I’ll tell her I’m gonna be out with you for a while. Don’t worry, I won’t tell her how we met!”

With that, Raditz grabbed Vegeta’s hand again, and led him through the door…

Chapter Text

“Mother! I'm back!” Raditz flung the door open. 

The bright sunlight made Vegeta squint for a second, and then he could see people waiting for their meat to be cut and served.

“Oh, Raditz!” The woman turned her head back to look at her child, but she was still working, trimming thick white fat from a juicy cut of beast meat.

“I was wondering when you'd be back! Don't make me worry like that!”

She had hair like his in a way, but much shorter, and was wearing similar gloves to the woman that had chased them in the markets.

“I just went out to get a snack, like I said!” Raditz smiled and walked up to her. Vegeta didn't know if he should follow.

Raditz's mother finished up serving someone, then put her utensils down and pulled off her gloves, flexing her tired fingers before sighing.

“Well, I sure hope you behaved yourself out there.” She ruffled the long hair of the boy and Vegeta grimaced. How could she be showing affection where people could see them?

“Yeah, yeah, don't worry! And look, I made a new friend! Come here, Zukini!”

Raditz beckoned him forth with a hand  gesture, and Vegeta complied. This Raditz boy was too trusting, calling him a friend so soon.

“Afternoon, miss.” Vegeta spoke with respect, even though he held nothing but disgust for this woman. Why wasn't she out there fighting?

“Hi, there, Zukini! How old are you?”

She asked, whilst bending down and extending her hand to him to shake it, but he didn't let her, pulling his arms behind his back in a militant stance.

“Four cycles.”

“Aww, how nice of you to look out for the younger kids, Raditz!” She turned to her son and smiled at him.

“Just trainin’ to be a good big brother, I guess.” Raditz stood looking proud of himself.

“Right, well, that's good.” His mother stood upright again.

“I've got to get back to work now, but I'll be done a little early. I've heard that your father's coming back today!” 

“Really!?” Raditz exclaimed and the woman nodded.

“That means I can show him my new moves!”

“Yes, yes, now, you two can go play.” She put her gloves back on, signalling that she had to get to work.

“Okay!” Raditz’s excitement didn't fade as he told Vegeta to come with him. They exited from the door they first entered.

“Well, I don't think we should go back that way, since that woman might be around.” Raditz said as they walked into the busy street. Vegeta made sure to stay close to him.

“Let's go play, then!” Raditz pulled him along by the hand for what seemed like the millionth time.

“Play?” Vegeta scoffed. “How and why would we do such a thing?”

Raditz stopped at the street corner.

“What do you mean? You don't have many other people to hang out with, do you?”

Vegeta shook his head.

“Right… well, it can be like training! But there's no real rules or anything, and it's better to do with more people. Sometimes we have team games and stuff.” Raditz explained as they made their way through the alleyway, avoiding all the little creatures and the trash.

‘This is how my people live? Hmph… no wonder they're stuck amongst trash if they're busy playing silly games!’

The Prince thought to himself as he was led along.

“There'll be other kids out here.” Raditz took him into an empty wasteland with some small pieces of training equipment, made for children.

He was right, as there were indeed cheers and shouts from other runts, running around or sparring.

“I just took a shortcut, pretty cool, right?” The older boy asked and Vegeta was still taking in the surroundings. 

“Why is this place here?” Vegeta glanced up at him.

“Oh, well, the Queen ordered people to make space for us, since it's so crowded in the city these days. Gets us to train with each other and have space for ourselves.”

Raditz explained, then pointed up at a pole.

“There's cameras just in case. I reckon it's connected to the Palace.”

“Oh…” Vegeta wondered if he'd ever seen any camera feeds in his home. Though, then again, there were some places even he was denied access to.

“Real nice of her, wasn't it? Not saying that she wasn't tough and stuff… the Queen, I mean.”

Raditz added.

“You remember her, don't you? You're the same age as the Prince, so…”

“Of course I remember!” 

The small Prince knew he couldn't give his identity away, but he couldn't deny knowing her in any capacity.

“Oh… okay.” Raditz shrugged, not expecting Vegeta to have such a strong reaction.

“Let's see… There!” The older boy pointed. 

“I know some of those kids.”

Vegeta followed him across the dusty wasteland. There were markings on some of the equipment, written by the runts as a form of ownership. He could see that they were separated into groups: older girls, who were winking and giggling at their male counterparts from a distance, younger ones like him, practising the basics, and some who kept to themselves in small huddles. 

Raditz's group was right on the edge, beside a wall, and Vegeta could tell that they likely were not very strong, and so kept away from the other kids.

They were kneeling down around a tree stump, holding round, shiny insects.

“Hey, guys!” Raditz greeted them, and one of them looked up at him.

“We're hosting bug fights. Wanna join?” A soft looking boy, with short hair spoke.

“Okay!” Raditz sat down, and Vegeta stayed standing.

“Who's that?” A skinny little girl asked. 

“This is Zukini. He was trying to swipe a snack, and I helped him out.”

Raditz told them, then looked at Vegeta, “Hey, sit down here, you'll be able to see.”

Vegeta said nothing to them and watched.

“Okay, Colli, put your bug down behind the line! Not over , like last time!”

Raditz was the referee, it seemed.

“What are you doing?” Vegeta finally spoke.

“Bug battle! They're special fighting bugs. We place a piece of food in the middle and we watch them fight over it. Sometimes we make bets.”

He leaned in close to watch the match begin. 

The boy, Colli, put a Berry in the centre of the stump, and Raditz adjusted it just to make sure it was a fair fight.

“Now, you make a bet against Raditz, Zukini.” The girl, who he'd heard Raditz call Peppra, lined up her bug, holding it in place whilst it struggled against her grip.

“What are we betting?” The Prince raised an eyebrow. If it was money, he could have bet anything, though not in this version of himself.

“It's up to you.” Raditz said. “I'm going to bet…” 

He reached into the chest plate of his armour and pulled out a small silk bag.

“3 of these rock candies on Colli's bug!”

It seemed like those sour things that the guard had given him in the morning.

“Oh… um…” Vegeta had to think. He wanted to win a bet, just to see what it was like.

“This?” He still realised he was wearing a pendant around his neck, beneath his armour.

“Woah…” Raditz inspected it, watching it shimmer as the sunlight reflected off of it.

“Are you sure?”

Vegeta nodded. It was a gift from his father, but he had little use for it. 

“I'll put it on the girl's one. Looks like a strong bug.” Vegeta placed down his bet.

“Okay, then! Bugs at the ready!”

Raditz held his hand up.

“3…2…1, Go!”

He swiped his hand down and his friends let go of the bugs.

They were all cheering, watching them crawl closer to their goal.

“C'mon, get him!” Raditz shouted.

The bugs collided in the middle, and they stood up on their hind legs, careful not to tip over and roll onto their hard shells. Colli's bug was of a darker red hue, whilst Peppra's was lighter, so even as they spun around, circling the berry, they knew which bug belonged to who.

“Look, look, he's nearly got him!” Vegeta found himself getting much more involved and excited over these little bugs than he thought he would. It was like a real battle, only on a smaller scale.

“Oh, no, he's gonna go!” 

Peppra held her hands behind her head watching her bug get thrown off the edge of the stump. Colli's bug was the victor, meaning Vegeta had lost.

“Tough luck!” Raditz picked up the pendant and wore it around his neck. Vegeta would just have to say he lost it, if his father ever noticed.

“You could still have a piece of candy if you want.” Raditz was generous enough to offer, but Vegeta refused, remembering his earlier taste of it. He didn't think the other colours could be any nicer.

“Do you want to have a go now?” Colli asked. 

“Sure.” Vegeta stood up. “Where do we find the bugs?”

“They'll be around on the ground or near trees.” Raditz said, also getting up to look.

“You should go and walk around this area and just check on the ground. I'll go that way, and you go this way.”

Vegeta nodded and went ahead. He was lucky that none of these kids were walking around with scouters, and therefore couldn't see his high power level. To them, he was just another Saiyan boy, and he was beginning to enjoy it. Sure, he liked to see people bowing and trembling in fear, but sometimes it was boring after it happened so many times.

Two kids rushed past him, throwing fists at each other in the air. He watched as they collided, hitting the stone wall, causing it to crack. There were kids, sitting and singing traditional songs and playing games that went with them, some tapping rhythms on the ground or on objects. He saw a group of young girls near a bush and decided to check if it had any of those fighting bugs.

“Can you believe it?!” One with silver hoop earrings frowned.

“How can the Prince go missing?!”

Vegeta shifted his eyes to look at them. So they'd finally found out about his escape?

“They're saying he's been kidnapped!” Another girl said.

‘Kidnapped?!’ Vegeta raised an eyebrow. ‘I'd never let myself get into such a position! How weak do people think I am?’

“No, there's no way he'd let that happen!” A girl with a large scar over her knee shook her head.

“He's really strong!”

“And super cute…” The girl who'd first spoken giggled and they all seemed to agree.

“Yeah, like he'd ever marry you! ” The girl with the scar sneered.

“Oh, like you'd fare any better?!” The two of them stood face to face, and Vegeta caught a glimpse of their tails puffing up, a clear sign of anger.

“Yeah, well, I'm stronger than you, so if he had to choose, he'd choose me!” Earring girl folded her arms and stood proudly.

“He wouldn't pick any of us…” A girl sat on the floor, holding a flower wistfully sighed. 

“He's probably already betrothed to some elite girl, someone who's parents are already in a high position of power.”

They all seemed rather upset at that, and Vegeta didn't know why. The royal life wasn't easy. Though, he supposed they were right. No matter these girls’ odd remarks of affection, Vegeta would have to choose someday. He knew some girls who were likely going to be presented as choices. He could tell they were power hungry, and what better way to obtain power than becoming the Queen?

Yet these girls were interested in Vegeta himself, and not the position, which was an interesting difference. He didn't understand why though, and he didn't like the fact they were calling him cute, but he couldn't show it. Though he did wonder how they'd react if he revealed his true identity…

“What are you doing?!” The one with the earrings glared at him.

Vegeta had been standing there for a while now, rummaging in the bush.

“I was-”

“Eavesdropping?!” She had no idea she was cutting off her beloved Saiyan Prince.

“Yeah, how dare you listen in on private conversations?!” 

Even the scarred girl was backing her, which was a sudden shift from their rivalry.

“I wasn't!” Vegeta pointed at the bush. “I was looking for fighting bugs!” 

“Liar!” The group of girls were all standing around him and he was beginning to feel like he should perhaps leave.

“Don't tell me you're one of those weird kids that make those bugs fight!”

The earring girl rolled her eyes.

“Uh…” From the corner of his eye, Vegeta could see Raditz waving at him from across the children's area.

“No.” He meekly added.

“Then what are you doing looking for them, you little freak?!”

She bent down a little, getting very close to him, but he couldn't fight her and risk trouble or attention since there were active searches for him likely occurring.

“Um, I-I-”

How could this be?! The mighty Prince of Saiyans, reduced to a stuttering fool by low-class girls!

“I bet he's a pervert or something!”

One girl shouted and pointed, and the others shrieked.

“Admit it! You were trying to look up at us from down there, to catch a glimpse of s-something! ”

The girl with the earrings grasped him by the top of the undersuit which was peeking above his armour.

“Why would I even want to do that?!” Vegeta couldn't believe such abhorrent accusations could be put on him. He was a fighter, a killer, but he didn't care for women and whatever they had going on beneath their clothes, nor did he see why others cared so much.

Sensing a growing tension, Raditz rushed over.

“Hey, Zukini, you find a bug yet?” He asked.

“Ugh!” The girl with the scarred knee sighed. “Of course you know him! ”

“What's wrong?” Raditz got between Zukini and the girls.

“Another one of your band of freaks, Raditz?” Earring girl smirked.

“Haha, that's a good one!” Raditz faked a laugh then took Vegeta’s hand.

“Hey, there's a nice looking bug!” He chose it on his behalf.

“Sorry, girls, we’re busy! Gossip with Zukini, later, ‘kay?”

With that, Raditz flew off, Vegeta in tow, as the girls shouted insults at them.

Vegeta would not be going back to speak to those girls any time soon. It wasn't like he could anyway, as at some point he’d have to go home to dispel the planet-wide-panic he’d caused.

When they returned to the tree stump, Raditz took one side and Vegeta took another.

“I'll bet… these Galactic Zap cards against you, Peppra. I think Zukini's bug will win.”

The timid girl replied, “Fine! I-I believe Raditz is gonna win anyway. I'll bet you some of my cards too.”

They both placed down some weird looking cards of cartoon characters, which had shiny colours and effects on them, likely indicating rarity.

“You always bet on Raditz…” Colli commented.

“Y-yeah?! And? ” She defensively retorted and her cheeks flushed red.

Raditz took no notice of this as he plucked a berry from the tree above them and placed it right in the centre of the stump.

“Okay, now, make sure the bug is behind the line.”

Raditz instructed him and Vegeta did as he was told, wanting a fair fight.

“3…2…1! Go!” Colli swiped his hand down and both boys let go of their fighters.

The bugs, like last time, crawled over to their meal, and collided. The battle had begun. Vegeta bent closer to look at how his warrior was doing, cheering for him.

His bug had more of a purple hue to Raditz's bug, and Vegeta watched as it used its tiny limbs to grasp its opponent. They were locked in a struggle, going back and forth, until suddenly, Vegeta's bug used all its strength and Raditz's bug toppled over.

As his bug ate the hard-earned treat, Vegeta whooped in triumph. He felt as if he himself had been fighting.

“Your first bug fight win!” Colli congratulated him.

“How does it feel?”

“Feels… pretty good. I'm rather proud of this creature!”

Vegeta watched the tiny thing as it crawled away.

“Well, I did choose that bug for you!” Raditz added.

“So technically-”

“C'mon, let him have it, Raditz!” Colli interrupted.

“How about a fight between the winners?!”

Peppra suggested, and Vegeta grabbed the same bug again and looked Colli in the eyes.

The same setup was formed and after another tough battle, somehow more tense than the first, Vegeta had reigned victorious.

Not only was he the Prince of Saiyans, but it seemed that he was the King of Bug Fight too!

The afternoon passed, and what was once a boring day in the languid heat, was a day of exploration and discovery for Prince Vegeta.

“Okay, I think I should head home now.” Raditz said.

“What?” Zukini asked. “But it's still daytime!” He couldn't believe it, but he didn't want that silly low-class to go and leave him just yet. He had more he needed to learn.

“Well, my mother said that my father is returning from off-planet today, so we're probably gonna have a huge meal! I don't want to miss out when he comes, so-”

“Can… I come?”

Vegeta asked and Raditz shrugged.

“Okay.”

They said their goodbyes to Colli and Peppra and began to walk out of the area.

“Hey, Zukini? Don't you have your own parents to get back to?”

Raditz helped him navigate through the alleys again.

“No. I'm an orphan.”

Vegeta lied.

“Ah… what happened? Battle?”

Raditz led them out into the marketplace again, but they were careful to avoid that one stall.

“Yes. Best way to die.”

Vegeta said and Raditz nodded, and looked as if he was going to speak but then he caught sight of five silver space pods returning to base.

“Look, Zukini! That's gotta be my father and his squad! Let's go meet them!”

“But what if-”

Vegeta tried to speak, but it was too late, his guide was heading off to the base and Vegeta had to follow, knowing that there would be active search parties out to seek him…

Chapter Text

The military base had all been created by King Cold’s men. Vegeta had heard the story from his father, about how quickly everything had changed as soon as they had joined the Planetary Trade Organisation. Technology was everywhere, taking over the ruined land left behind from the war with the Tuffles, and leaving a supposedly brighter future.

The white rounded buildings of the base were huge and held different purposes. There was a mess hall, a training centre, an armoury. The medical centre was also stationed here, for returning warriors. On a raised platform was the landing zone for space pods and other ships, and across from that were the launchers. The ground held a grid-like pattern, and was the same off-white as the exterior of the buildings.

“There’s no guards out here…” Raditz remarked as they entered. There were groups of Saiyans, mostly standing in shaded areas or just outside the entries, and some of them had serious expressions, sharing information that the two boys couldn’t quite hear.

“I wonder what’s up… usually there’s guards at every building.” Raditz told him as they casually walked over to where the five pods had landed.

“I know that.” Vegeta said firmly.

“Oh, I didn’t think you had ever been at the base before… They don’t really like us kids hanging out here, but I don’t care what they say about me. I figure I might as well get used to the way things work… for when I’m a soldier on missions!”

The older boy seemed incredibly sure of himself, smiling proudly.

As the pair were walking, Vegeta heard someone say his name and instinctively turned around.

“He’s gone missing!” A woman told another returning group.

“Huh? Zukini, why’d you stop?” Raditz noticed the boy had stopped following him.

Vegeta decided it would be good to listen in, just so he knew how they were handling the situation.

“The Prince? Why would he go missing? Where would a kid like that want to go?!” A man, who was part of the group, raised an eyebrow.

Raditz listened in too, standing beside Vegeta, unnoticed by the much taller adults. 

“I heard rumours that there’s a rebel faction, working against the monarchy to oppose their rule, and the command of Lord Frieza!”

She added.

Vegeta and Raditz looked at each other, their eyes meeting, as if to question if there would be someone so brave, or foolish, to go against the establishment.

‘I guess if those fools think I’ve been kidnapped by these supposed rebels, I have more time on my hands.’

The prince thought to himself.

“C’mon, Zukini, my dad’s probably in the Mess Hall by now, let’s go tell him!”

Raditz took Vegeta’s hand and led him into the building, where they could hear the sounds of chatter and laughter as they walked down the corridor. On the way there they saw a stumbling, drunken Saiyan, being held up partially by an exasperated female, who was comically small compared to him.

“Hey, Uncle Tora!” Raditz greeted the man, who peered down, his reddened face taking a moment to register what must have been a blurry vision of the kids.

“Rad -hic- itz!” He hiccuped, smiling at the boy.

“Don’t be like this idiot when you grow up…” The purple eyed woman let go of him and the man named Tora slumped against the wall.

“Oh, don’t be such a buzzkill, Fasha! Hey…Some…someday-” He hiccuped again. “When you become a real soldier, we’ll go drink till we can’t no more!” Tora poked Raditz’s chest and Vegeta frowned at the exchange. How pathetic to see a Saiyan in such a weak state.

“C’mon you bum! They already tossed you out of here ‘cause you had enough for one day…” Fasha dragged Tora by the wrist, keeping a tight grip on him and they began to walk away before Raditz could tell them anything about the royal panic.

“Your dad’s still in there with the rest of ‘em!” Fasha’s voice echoed down the corridor as they were leaving.

“Okay! See ya!” Raditz shouted back and took Vegeta into the Mess Hall, which was far from the organised, highbrow dining room the Prince was used to. It was more like one of the other bars in the town he had walked past, with such raucous laughter and shouting, and the floor being sticky from alcohol, and likely other substances he’d rather not think about.

“Were those people part of your father’s squadron, then?” Vegeta asked Raditz to take his mind off of the overwhelming sounds and smells in the room.

“Mhm!” Raditz’s head turned around to scan the room, looking for his father. “There!” He pointed and dashed over there, leaving Vegeta to awkwardly follow, dodging elbows, and tables and tails. 

Those soldiers Raditz knew and these people didn’t bat an eye at his presence, as they were all caught up in their own business, and Vegeta was reminded of life back home for a moment, but here he didn’t mind so much. These people weren’t obliged to pay attention to him, because here he was Zukini, and Zukini was just an orphan runt. He was glad that scouters were all inactive here, which meant that he overheard talk that would definitely warrant a visit from a PTO officer or being tracked, and it of course meant that his identity was hidden.

“Keep up, Zukini!” Raditz called to him and they both squeezed through the gaps between tables to get to the corner, where Vegeta’s eyes widened.

‘His father is Bardock!?’

“What’re you doin’ here? Ain’t you supposed to be helping your mother or in school or somethin’?”

The cold commanding stare of Bardock, the low-class upstart, known even to those ranking far above him, even gave Vegeta a chill.

“Nah, she thinks I’m playing out with Zukini here.” Raditz made a slight gesture towards him and Vegeta stood up in a straight militant manner, as one would when responding to a superior. He had never done this to someone else before, but he was sure he’d seen enough display that level of respect to him that he could re-enact it.

“An honour to meet you, sir.” He placed his right hand over his chest and bowed his head.

“You heard of me before, kid?” Bardock smirked. 

“See, we keep telling you that you’re famous, Bardock!” A rotund Saiyan man with facial hair reminiscent of Nappa laughed then gulped down a large mug of fizzing purple liquid.

“Yes, sir.” Vegeta nodded.

“Hmph…” Bardock then turned his attention back to his son. “So, have you gotten any stronger?”

“Mhm! Way stronger!” Raditz nodded excitedly. There was a gleam in his eye… or perhaps it was the glare of the lights overhead.

“Mama says I’m plenty strong, a-and when I fight other kids, I nearly always win-”

“ Nearly? ” Bardock said whilst crunching down on dried, spiced worms, which Vegeta’s stomach turned at the sight of.

“Oh… Um, yeah. But… most of th-”

Bardock slammed his fist on the table and even the other two large, oafish men beside him recognised this, their faces tightening in realisation of their leader’s tough attitude emerging.

“Most of the time isn’t enough out there.” He scoffed. “Nearly always? Is that the best you can do?”

Vegeta was transfixed on the way this man moved. So relaxed again, leaning into the chair, his finger circling the rim of his mug, yet his voice held that gravitas he only knew in his father when speaking to the court or the crowd. There was power there. An aura he had never seen in a low-class. He was beginning to understand why Bardock’s name had been on everyone’s lips.

“You go out there, thinking you might have a shot ‘cause you won against people like you, and you know you been catching losses, what happens? You complete your missions ‘mostly’, and they go out lookin’, or they hear you sayin’ that over them things?” He pointed to his ear.

“If you don’t take down everyone on that planet or ya’ don’t come back with everything they ask for, it’s your tail on the line, son. Especially if you were leading or taking a big role in that group. I don’t wanna hear no ‘sometimes’ or ‘nearly’. You do it right. You win…”

Bardock took a swig of his drink, then wiped his mouth and sighed,

“Or you die. That’s life out here for us.”

He shrugged.

The rest of the world seemed to fade back in once he had stopped speaking and the talkative Raditz nodded, his eyebrows and mouth straight and serious in a way mirroring his father.

“Hey, you guys heard yet!?” A tall, weedy Saiyan came over and cut through the tense air.

“What now?” Bardock yawned.

“The Prince has gone missing!” He exclaimed. The whole room’s energy had changed from an atmosphere of careless indulgence to one of confusion, suspicion and fear.

“Oh, well.” He shrugged and took another drink.

Vegeta narrowed his eyes and glared at the man.

‘How dare he not care about his Prince’s disappearance! He may be strong, but he’s still no match for me, and my father!’

“Father, they’re saying he could have been kidnapped!”

Raditz added.

“Kidnapped? A kid like that? Nah…” The man chuckled. 

‘Well… perhaps he’s a little smarter than I thought.’

Vegeta raised an eyebrow.

“Who would want a whiny, royal brat around?” Bardock laughed and his two friends followed suit.

Vegeta felt his tail hairs puff up, but just sighed.

“Yeah, I ain’t too bothered… I’m more concerned about dinner. Hey, kid, what time did your mother say we were eating?”

He addressed his son again who just rolled his eyes and answered,

“I dunno. Soon though. It’s been a while.”

“Hmm…” Bardock then turned back to the other two men. “I’d better head off… wouldn’t wanna be heading home in the same state Tora was in!”

They said their goodbyes and Bardock got up. He led the two boys out of the Hall and everyone’s eyes turned to look at Bardock as he walked, with some even calling his name, yelling something, and the man either responded with some vulgar remark or laughed or just gave a harsh glare, even to the women.

Upon leaving the Mess Hall, it was clear that it was getting further towards sunset as the sky’s pink hues darkened and were becoming purple in some areas. The energy outside was frantic, with news of the prince’s escape reaching everyone, and the buzz in the town wasn’t like the chaotic, yet relatively upbeat and high energy Vegeta had first experienced. Everything was somehow on a higher speed, and there was a tense atmosphere that Vegeta could feel within his muscles.

Vegeta watched as the same orphan runts he was trying to imitate attempted to gang on a woman with one leg, who was seemingly older than most other Saiyans, perhaps a veteran from the war with the Tuffles. She gave a good fight but was knocked over and they began to take everything she had on her, including the stick she used to help her walk. No one stepped in and the crowds kept moving. 

As they continued, Vegeta dragged his heels, staying behind the father and son duo. He saw another boy, probably around his age, looking as if he was sweltering in this heat that wasn’t yet dying down. He was shirtless and his skin was glistening with sweat, but he lacked any muscles; his bones were noticeable beneath his skin. He was rooting around in a pile of rubbish beside a tavern and drinking the last dregs of something. 

There was the same woman as earlier, the one who said she was hired by people to be a servant, she looked utterly exhausted and her garish make-up was all ruined, melting down her face. He saw red marks on her body, but they weren’t like injuries one would receive from sparring. People were even shouting things at her, but she stood there still in those uncomfortable looking shoes.

His heartbeat quickened at the surroundings, and he was sure he could hear whispers of his name coming from every direction. Every time he saw a royal guard walking around, who Vegeta could easily distinguish from the others due to their uniforms, which bore the Saiyan crest, the Prince held his breath and kept his eyes to the floor, still trailing behind Raditz. 

There was the beep of a scouter and confusion amongst the soldiers sent to search for him, and Vegeta sped up, hoping they couldn’t trail him in such an environment, where he was struggling to avoid being stepped on. 

Eventually, they were out of the centre of the town and out into the smaller villages where people had dwellings. The countryside was largely untouched by the revolutionary technological advancements and funding of the PTO, but Vegeta was beginning to doubt the effectiveness of that money, considering the squalor he had witnessed in the capital.

Even if you flew around in the capital, you risked colliding into another person, or into a building or ship!

Out here, he could see others flying in the distance. He could see the mountains and the swampland, the places where the Saiyans were once forced to live by the Tuffles. The beasts roamed freely, making a completely different cacophony to the one in the capital, such noises he had never heard in his short life!

Vegeta recalled coming down this path before, in the royal carriage, when making visits to villages upon his mother’s insistence. Now, walking along this path, he tuned out Raditz’s incessant chatter, which his father painfully tolerated, and felt a new sense of pride for his homeland.

Yes, this planet was not the true home of the Saiyans, but it had been the only home he had ever known, and even still it was clear he was yet to become truly familiar. 

Before he knew it, Vegeta had reached the dwelling of Bardock and his son. It wasn’t huge, and had only one floor, from what he could see outside. The place was atop a small hill and the path, which they had deviated from, was still visible in the distance. Behind the hill was the turquoise-tinted ocean, the same one that Vegeta could see from his own window every morning. It was a vast body of water which the main areas which the Saiyans resided on bordered, and vital source of life.

Who knew that the same sea could be seen from the window from this low-class home that could be seen from the Royal Palace?

“Kid followed us.” Bardock finally noticed him again and sneered. 

“Oh! Well, can Zukini come have dinner with us?” Raditz asked on his behalf.

“You just met this kid.” Bardock replied.

“I know… but I-I’m taking him under my wing! Who knows, father? Perhaps one day Zukini will be part of my squad because we trained and got strong enough together!” Raditz vouched for him.

‘In your dreams.’ Vegeta thought.

As if on cue, Vegeta’s stomach growled in an embarrassingly noticeable manner. 

The front door of the dwelling swung open, whacking into Bardock.

“Did I hear a hungry stomach?!” That butcher woman he had met earlier smiled, holding a plate with a stack of grilled meat.

“Hm? Where’s Bardock?” She looked left and right.

Bardock stepped out from behind the door holding his bloodied nose.

“Oh! Sorry…” She apologised and her husband sighed.

“Mama, can Zukini have dinner with us?” Raditz asked, voice sweet as sugar to sway her.

“Sure! I mean, I made tons,” She wrapped her tail around her mate. “Since I knew my brave Commander was coming back today.”

Vegeta remembered those times, on rare occasions when they were alone, where he saw his mother and father’s tails intertwine.

That was a very private thing, so for her to be doing it openly was very odd. Then again, she was a butcher, and from his earlier interaction he gathered that she wasn’t exactly meeting expectations for a Saiyan.

Raditz’s mother, who he had overhead from Bardock’s chastising of her carelessness was called Gine, led them in. They luckily had enough chairs for them all, though Vegeta’s one was noticeably smaller, and he wondered why. 

“Just help yourselves! I’ve got more coming, so dig in!” The cheery woman brought over some more plates of food, and Bardock wasted no time in grabbing what he wanted, now that his nose had stopped bleeding due to her assistance. It made sense, as he was the provider of their wealth and had likely not eaten anything nearly as delicious on his mission. Raditz followed suit and was tearing into a chunk of meat, dripping with juices down his face. His mother sat down eventually and slurped up some soup.

Vegeta thought he’d better fill his plate up too before nothing was left. 

‘How bizarre… they just invited me into their home? They don’t see me as a threat at all!’

The boy bit into his food rather cautiously, but soon realised that Gine was more than just an ordinary butcher. Her cooking rivalled that of the street vendor he had stolen from and perhaps even the skills of the kitchen in the Palace. He would surely hire her to make these meals for him, but of course, how could he do that if he wasn’t the prince to them.

“Are you enjoying it, Zukini?” She asked him whilst tearing into some fresh bread she had baked.

“Mhm!” He nodded, with his cheeks stuffed with an abundance of flavours.

“I’m so glad!” She replied.

“He’s a runt… those kids’ll have anything ya give.” Bardock diminished the compliment and she tutted at him.

“If you’re going to be rude, I’ll stop feeding you and give even more to those poor children.” Gine sassily responded and her mate responded with a grunt and then continued to eat.

Plate after plate were being cleared in this shared dinner, and it was a mad dash to grab the last of anything before anyone else could. The meal was becoming a battle, and Vegeta watched Raditz and Bardock stare at each other, then down at the last filled pastry, then back at each other. 

Vegeta blinked and then someone had made a move, and it was Bardock who had won, snatching the pastry from the centre of the table, with his arms that were obviously longer than Raditz’s, who had leapt into the air, but was hit by his father in a flash, allowing the man to claim his prize.

“Maybe next time you’ll get the last one.” His mother consoled the boy who slumped in his chair, watching his father delight in the savoury goodness.

“I told ya…” Bardock spoke with his mouth full, crumbs dropping down. “I’m tired of this ‘maybe’. You better try harder than that next time, or I’ll be taking the whole of your plate.”

Vegeta was beginning to feel comfortable here, in this room that was the size of his bathing quarters, with these people he hardly knew and could kill in an instant. It was beyond logical, yet when he was offered to have dessert, he felt compelled to take it.

But outside, the rest of the planet was still in a panic over his whereabouts, and the guards expanded their search beyond the capital…

Chapter Text

“So, that’s when I decided to wait it out, avoid any ambushes, y’know?” Bardock was in the middle of explaining to Raditz and Vegeta the mission he had been on. They were still at the dinner table, whilst Gine took away all the now empty plates and bowls, and Bardock was taking sips of some pungent drink between his sentences.

“Right…” Raditz’s eyes sparkled as he hung off his father’s every word. Vegeta was reminded of when his mother and father told him about the war, how much he wished he could have witnessed such an epic display of Saiyan strength.

“Now, listen up… you too, Zukini, because this advice is gonna be important when you’re grown.” Bardock leaned in closer. “Whenever you’re outnumbered by the enemy, and I’m talking hugely outnumbered, you just gotta remember that they ain’t Saiyans. They don’t have the advantages we have, generally, anyway.” He gulped down the rest of the glass bottle.

“So, I was isolated. Scouter communication lost, and I got no clue where my team is. You gotta really pay attention to your brief before you head out.” Bardock continued and Raditz nodded occasionally, eyes still wide and bright as the full moon.

“I realise that there’s gonna be a full moon tomorrow, because I remembered the info they gave us. That’s when the survival instincts really kicked in. I found an empty cave. Well, there were some animals, but they provided food. These simple creatures provided a decent meal, and I was able to lose the army that were on my ass.”

“And then the full moon came, right, father?! And you crushed ‘em all like bugs?!” Raditz was practically bouncing up and down.

“Hey, who’s telling this story?!” Bardock snapped and Raditz settled back down into his chair. “But, yeah… I guess that’s right. It meant that I could easily locate my team once they all transformed too and we were able to exterminate those runts and flatten the land, ready for whoever’s buying the place.”

“What was their average power level?” Vegeta chimed in.

“Eh… hardly high enough to be registered. 200? 300? Those were the highest I saw, but in a big group, that can cause some trouble.” Bardock shrugged.

Gine sat down at the table again, chastising her mate, “Just because that’s nothing to you, doesn’t mean they weren’t strong. And that’s enough of your stories, you’ll have him asking all night.”

“I bet I could’ve taken them down!” Raditz boasted.

“I’m sure you’d fare better than your mother would have.” Bardock smirked at his mate who was clearly dissatisfied by the remark in the way she turned away from him.

“Oh, c’mon, Gine, I was just teasin’ ya!” Bardock tried not to laugh as his mate folded her arms and ignored him.

“So, Zukini!” She addressed him instead. “When will you be getting home? I’m sure Bardock will be happy to take you!” She gave a sharp look towards her mate who sighed and muttered something under his breath.

“I’m sure your parents must be getting worried now, and with all this chaos going on because of the Prince…” Saiyan women did care about children sometimes, and clearly she was one of them.

“Mama, he’s an orphan… remember?” Raditz reminded her. His tail was still flicking around excitedly from the talk of battle.

“Oh, right… sorry.” Gine placed a hand on the prince’s shoulder. “Well, I hope that you have somewhere safe to go…but you’re welcome to visit us any time-”

Bardock began to cough and splutter on what must have been his third drink by this point of the evening.

“Hey, we just about make enough for us!”

“Don’t listen to him, Zukini! Perhaps if someone stopped spending so much down the bars, we’d have a little more disposable income!”

Gine retorted.

Perhaps she had a bit more fight in her than Vegeta had thought. Clearly, Bardock didn’t mind too much.

“What happened to your parents anyway? Who got ‘em?” Bardock asked, in a rather insensitive manner.

“My father… he, uh… just didn’t come home from a mission one day.” Vegeta lied.

“Oh? What squadron was he from? Might’ve known him.” Bardock’s probing made Vegeta gulp, but he quickly composed himself.

“I believe it was… S-63. I don’t know the other surviving members.”

“Hmm…” Bardock rested in the chair, tilting his head back as he thought. “Yeah, not sure I know any squadron from that section.”

Vegeta inwardly sighed, believing he had gotten away with it.

“Oh, well that’s a terrible thing to happen to you so young! Was it recent?” Gine asked, leaning close to the boy, once again looking at him with that sickeningly soft expression of pity.

“You could say that.” Vegeta shrugged.

“And your mother?” Bardock asked.

“Yes… that was very recent.” Vegeta was for once, being truthful.

“Man, that’s just like the Prince!” Raditz put his elbows on the table and rested his head in his hands, listening to Vegeta.

“The Queen’s death sounded so horrible. I mean, seeing her like that…” Gine sighed.

“I heard she was, like, coughing up blood and stuff! So gross!” Raditz giggled.

“Raditz! She couldn’t help being so ill!” She scolded him for being so insensitive about it but Vegeta was fixated on his reflection in the empty glass on the table, which was chipped at the top, and not perfectly clear. It had a blue hue, and distorted his reflection.

“My mother was ill too.” He admitted.

“Huh… I thought you said she died in battle too-” Raditz pointed out and Vegeta quickly sat up and replied,

“I just… didn’t want to tell you then!”

“Goodness… maybe it was just something going around… was it at the same time as the Queen’s illness?” Gine wondered, tilting her head up as she thought.

“Saiyans don’t get sick like that.” Bardock stated, eyebrows furrowed in a state of contemplation. “It ain’t like us.”

“Well, she did, okay?!” Vegeta suddenly shouted, slamming his small fist on the table, toppling the chipped glass. The room fell silent, until he cleared his throat and continued.

“She did.” He picked up the glass before it could roll off the table, and held it, running a finger over the water stain on the exterior and spoke again,

“It… It was horrible. It was just like the Queen.” He had to keep up the act; lying within his truths. “At first… I didn’t understand. I hardly noticed. She was always so active, always training with me.” He shook his head. “No one noticed because she always kept her pride. She didn’t let anything show… she would train with me even though she felt so weak. I thought she was taking it easy on me. I remember now… yes… I yelled at her because I thought she was doing it on purpose because I was her child. I accused her of wishing to avoid me when all she could do was lay down. I was a fool.”

“You didn’t know…” Gine said softly. “Don’t blame yourself.”

Vegeta knew he shouldn’t keep going. It was his pain and his burden to bear, and he should keep it to himself, not let these low-class wretches into his affairs-

“I was scared.”

His words slipped from his mouth and fell into the warm air.

“I was scared when she got worse, and we went to the best medical professionals- I mean, the best we could- but they couldn’t do anything! I saw her coughing up blood, a-and it just became so frequent. The fur of her tail began to fall off in clumps. Her body was nothing like it was at the end of it all… I always thought someone like her would die in battle, the way she had wanted… but this illness, whatever it was, left her without her dignity and pride.”

There was an ache in his throat and a wetness pooling at the corners of his eyes, just like when-

“And I remember once, on one of her bad days, she…she begged me, she said ‘Son, I want you to kill me, I want to die by your hand, and be the first soul claimed by you.’ Those states of delirium, though… perhaps she was serious then, frightened me terribly. I can’t imagine what kind of pain she must have been in to ask me that.”

There was nothing but the sounds of the creatures outside and the wind blowing through the tree beside the house coming through the window for a moment that lasted longer than it should have.

“On the day she died, I… was almost glad, but not because I disliked her. I forgave her for the distance she kept at the start of the illness. But I was glad because I knew her suffering had ended. I didn’t have to hear her cries of agony in the night anymore, or have to spend my days beside her bed, helping her to eat whatever she could, knowing she’d likely not keep it down.”

“Oh… well… that’s terrible.” Gine was the first to speak again. “I mean… you don’t seem the type to accept pity-”

“I’m not.” Vegeta firmly held to his ideals.

“Right.” Gine nodded. “I hope her spirit will continue to fight on in the next life.”

Vegeta wondered if that was really true. He had been raised to follow those beliefs, and his mother was very spiritual herself. If there truly was another plane of existence where proud warriors were free to battle with all the other fallen legends, would his mother have attained it? Did her fatal illness count as a battle?

Vegeta shook his head, trying to pull out of his own thoughts. What had made him reveal all of that? It had done nothing but make the room fall silent, and show weakness. He knew they pitied him by the way their heads were lowered, and their gazes were soft, even Bardock’s to an extent.

“It’s getting late, maybe-” Gine started, but Raditz jumped up.

“Let’s go train outside!” He exclaimed, and his mother shook her head.

“You just ate, and it’ll get dark soon! It’s not safe outside, not right now, they’re still searching for the Prince.”

Raditz slumped back into the chair and pouted, “Well, it’s not like that’s got anything to do with us, right, Zukini?” He looked at Vegeta with those eyes as large and round as the moon.

“I… I suppose Raditz makes a good point. I haven’t trained at all today.” Vegeta shrugged. It would be pleasant to fight by the shore as the sun set, he thought.

“Fine. We’ll all go out, your father and I can watch you two.” Gine gave in.

“What? Why can’t they just go? Let us stay here, alone.” Bardock’s tail flicked in the air as he grinned at his mate.

“Don’t you want to see your son’s improvement, Bardock? We’ll just keep an eye on them from a distance.” Gine got up from her chair and stood behind him.

“Woohoo! Let’s go, let’s go, before it gets dark!” Raditz was already at the door, so Vegeta naturally followed, wondering how he would conceal his true abilities.

Outside, the sky had darkened in hue since they had arrived at Raditz’s home. The chaos from earlier had settled down, and there was no-one outside their homes when Vegeta looked at the villages beneath the hilltop where the path led back to. The lights in the city were still aglow, and so too were most of the smaller village homes. Most returning warriors landed back home during the day when the centre of the planet was full of activity, and technicians could repair ships, scouters and armour, as well as the physicians to administer any care necessary to injured Saiyans.

Following him around the side of the house, Vegeta watched as Raditz sped down the hill, where the lush grasslands faded into the copper sand. The tide was coming in, but there was reasonable space for training.

“Now, I don’t want you two to overdo it, okay? You just ate!” Gine yelled to them as she walked with her mate.

“Relax, we’ll be just fine!” Raditz did some warm-up stretches on the sand. The breeze was rather nice, sweeping through Vegeta’s gelled back hair, which he was glad was holding up well.

“I don’t wanna see any holding back from either of you, got it? Don’t you think about taking it easy on Zukini ‘cause he’s smaller than ya!” Bardock crossed his arms, ready to watch the boys spar, whilst Gine sat down on a large rock beside him.

Vegeta smirked, knowing he was the one who would have to hold back. He took his position, standing a decent few metres away from Raditz. A gust of wind carried through the air as the boys stared silently at each other. The white foam of the ocean waves brushed against the sides of Vegeta’s boots.

“You’d better be ready, Zukini! Now I finally get to see how strong you are!” Raditz exclaimed then rushed forward, his ki pushing the sand beneath him away. Vegeta could read him easily, his mother had taught him that, and turned to the side to block Raditz’s punch with his forearm.

“Hmph! That hardly even tickles!” Vegeta boasted and Raditz gritted his teeth and tried to sweep Vegeta over with his right leg, but the prince jumped up and pulled back, remaining defensive. He’d have to be the one reacting to Raditz, which would be an interesting experiment. Back home, he was always in control of his training sessions, being pushed to the max, but if he unleashed his strength he risked killing Raditz, and that would land him in trouble, prince or not. Killing a fellow Saiyan was an act that had to be justified, and whilst of course there were accidents, it was seen as an act of treason to do such a thing to a fellow warrior if they did not deserve it.

“Raditz! Get a grip!” Bardock shouted to his son. “You’re too predictable!”

“Right!” Raditz nodded, gulping as he steadied himself. The waves rolled over again and Raditz used his speed to rush over again and begin a barrage of attacks, basic punches and kicks, the kind of stuff Vegeta would have done as a toddler, and Vegeta dodged and weaved. Raditz then fired a ki blast, a sneaky technique considering his close range, blowing smoke and dust into Vegeta’s face.

“Agh!” Vegeta coughed, rubbing his eyes.

“Raditz, that wasn’t fair!” Gine chastised him, still perched on the rock.

“Sorry, but I’m fighting like it’s a real battle! And there’s no rules there, right?!” The boy laughed, and as Vegeta turned to look behind him, now that his composure was regained, Raditz punched him in the face, but Vegeta didn’t fall over. He had felt it, sure, but it was nothing more than a Saibaman’s scratch.

“W-what?!” Raditz trembled. “That was one of my strongest punches, I-I’m sure I put all my energy into it!” He looked at his own hand once he had pulled it away from Vegeta’s face, like there was something wrong with it.

Vegeta countered, but used his tail, swishing it with enough force to knock Raditz over, his backside hitting the ground with a thump.

Raditz wasn't down for long, and Vegeta was almost impressed at his willingness to just get back up and start swinging, but now the boy was flustered, losing control. His expectations hadn't been met and his confusion clouded his mind.

“Hmph! You fool!” Vegeta goaded him, vanishing before he was hit by a blast and popped up in front of Raditz, now feeling the rush of battle and slammed his fist into the boy's abdomen.

“Ack!” Raditz bent forward, clutching his stomach and coughing.

‘Perhaps I was too strong’, Vegeta thought as he stood in the defensive position he started in again.

“Nice one!” Bardock clapped his hands. “Tell ya what, Zukini, for a scrawny kid, you're pretty tough!”

Vegeta turned to glare at Bardock. “I am not scrawny-”

BLAM!

Raditz had recovered, and landed a sharp kick to Vegeta’s side, sending him flying towards the rocks close by to Raditz’s family.

“Argh!” Vegeta collided with a rock, and fell forward after the rock had crumbled to pieces from the force. He got up and dusted himself off, his hair was all full of dust but that gel thing he'd put in it was holding up surprisingly well, he thought.

“How dare you strike me when I'm distracted?!” Vegeta scowled, clenching his fists tightly.

“Better not get distracted! Told ya I'm fighting for real!” Raditz's smug smile was getting obnoxious. Perhaps Vegeta would have to let a bit more of his true self out, especially since this low-class was stronger than he thought.

“Now, get ready for this new move I’ve been working on!” Raditz raised both hands up to the sky. They began to glow with purple ki, and he had his eyes set on Vegeta.

“Bet you won’t be able to dodge this-” Before Raditz could fire the two blasts, Vegeta vanished in the nick of time.

“Huh?! Where-”

Vegeta used his superior speed to fly behind Raditz, appearing suddenly. He noticed that the low-class’ tail was carelessly waving around, instead of being wrapped around his waist like his own, and he grabbed it right at the base. Raditz let out a squeak, and the ki vanished into the atmosphere as his strength was sapped. The boy fell to his knees.

“Raditz!” Bardock yelled. “How many fucking times do I gotta tell you about your tail?!”

His mate glared at him, and stood up to encourage her son, “Be clever, Raditz! You can get out of this!”

Vegeta cackled, “You’d better give up!” He tugged on Raditz’s tail. “A fool like you doesn’t deserve any mercy!”

Raditz’s fists clenched into the sand, as he cried out in pain, his voice trembling.

“As a warrior you should not have any weak spots!” Vegeta scolded him, repeating the words his mother had said to him.

The prince thought he had subdued this weakling beneath him, but in another sneaky trick, the boy threw more sand, right at Vegeta’s eyes, temporarily blinding him.

“Gah!” Vegeta rubbed his eyes. How dare this peasant blind him twice?! He knew now that Raditz was a trickster, but if he was going to become a proud Saiyan warrior, he would have to have more than underhanded tactics in order to be enough for Vegeta.

Raditz let out a battle cry, now freed from Vegeta’s grasp, as he turned to kick Vegeta, jumping up from the ground he was still laying on. It was just about strong enough to make Vegeta fall down. Placing one boot onto Vegeta’s chest, he had him firmly pinned to the ground. The rushing waves behind Vegeta’s ears and the sounds of both boys’ heavy breaths (though more from having the air knocked out of him rather than exertion on Vegeta’s side), were oddly calming in this moment of standstill.

Neither said a word. Vegeta wondered why Raditz didn’t gloat, at this moment. It would be fun for Vegeta to carry on pretending he was so easily subdued, only to quickly steal it away, but instead Raditz pulled back, allowing Vegeta to stand again.

“Hey, did you hear that? It wasn’t my dad speaking, I know it!” The low-class boy asked.

“You’re tricking me again, aren’t you?” Vegeta retook his defensive position.

“No! I heard something!” Raditz glanced at his parents, who were none the wiser, then up at the sky. The sun was setting nicely, but apart from that, Vegeta hadn’t seen or heard anything.

“There!” Raditz pointed. They looked like- “Royal guards!” The boy exclaimed. Vegeta gulped, then held his breath, hoping that perhaps the scouters would not detect him if he didn’t breathe or move a muscle.

Soon, Bardock and Gine heard the sound of shouts up above and the rush of air as the men flew in to land on the beach.

“C’mon, let’s go see what they want!” Before Vegeta could protest, Raditz had grabbed his arm and ran over to them. “This is so cool! The royal guards are so tough!”

Bardock walked up to the guards, Gine cautiously following him.

“What’s up?” The warrior stood firmly. Vegeta wondered if it was wise for Bardock to speak so informally, but then again… there were rumours of his strength rivalling these men. If Raditz’s abilities were surprising to Vegeta, then it had to have been passed down from somewhere, surely?

“As I’m sure you’ve heard,” The leader of the men, the one that Vegeta had taken the hair gel off, spoke, “The whereabouts of our Prince has been the greatest concern to the Royal Palace… and to Lord Frieza.”

Vegeta thanked the gods they were all wearing old model scouters. Frieza hadn’t kept his word on the shipments, he recalled. His father was furious, but of course, he couldn’t let such complaints be known. The scouters they gave to guards weren’t as good as ones that squadrons like Bardock’s received, as the guards were assigned to look after the affairs in the capital, surrounding important buildings, and of course, the palace. If they scanned for Vegeta, the power level reading unit would combust, surely?

“Well, we ain’t seen anything. I only just got home when this whole thing about him being missing got out.” Bardock shrugged. Gine clung to his arm, in a way that was entirely inappropriate to be seen by others. Such affection was sickening.

“I see, but we have been checking every home, and found yours to be empty. Not to mention, there was a spike in our scouters, indicating activity in this area.”

“It must be from the boys’ sparring.” Gine meekly offered an explanation. “They were using their full strength, so-”

“What, these two?” The guard scoffed. “Look, I get you want to be proud of your kids and all, but there’s no way they’re strong enough for the scouter to beep like that!”

Bardock sneered at the man, stepping closer to make sure his point was made, “That little runt ain’t mine, so I don’t know about him, but you royal suck-ups need to get it through your skulls that we’re not all just content with our positions… unlike you. Why waste your supposed strength on domestic affairs?”

The hairs on Vegeta’s tail stood on end. Was he about to witness Bardock in action?

“You…” The guard growled. “Bardock, you’re lucky that you’re popular amongst the low-classes… because those above you certainly don’t like you. In fact, if you were to be accused of treason, I’m sure many would vote against you.”

Bardock only laughed in the man’s face, boasting, “Go on! Accuse me!”

“Bardock!” His mate gasped. “Stop-”

“Oh, but you can’t, right?” The low-class warrior smirked. “You can’t take me in ‘cause you have no reason. I told you, I didn’t come back ‘til the afternoon. The boy was already missing by then. So, you’d best get to looking elsewhere.”

The guard swallowed and then opened his mouth, but he fell silent, and bit his lip. He turned to the group of men he had brought with him.

“C’mon. Let’s do a sweep of the outskirts, and back through the forest.” With that, they ascended, and took off.

“See, Gine? They’re all talk.” Bardock relaxed again, and his mate sighed,

“Why’d you have to rile them up though? What if he did choose to fight you?”

“Simple.” The man shrugged. “I’d fight him. Now, speaking of fights…” He turned to face the boys, “That was enough of a rest! Get back to it!”

“Right!” Raditz smiled, planting himself into a firm stance. Vegeta backed up and did the same. “Get ready, Zukini!”

Vegeta said nothing, and after a moment of preparation, the boys launched at each other, jumping into the air. Vegeta blocked Raditz’s attacks as easily as he had done before. Clearly the other boy was still exhausted, he had used a heavy ki move earlier, after all, and now he was just trying anything.

Vegeta pulled backwards, letting Raditz realise how foolish he had been. “You’ll never land a hit on me with such inefficient movements!”

“Oh yeah!?” Raditz’s tail flicked in the air. It seems he still hadn’t learned from his mistake. “Well, let’s see you dodge this one!” Raditz gathered ki into his hands, and began to fire a rapid succession of ki blasts at Vegeta. It was a rather simple move, one that Vegeta relied on too much, in his mother’s analysis, but he had yet to find a better replacement for it. It was a good bet, but Raditz’s accuracy paled in comparison to his.

“You imbecile! Your aim is off!” Vegeta shouted, avoiding every blast, until at last, Raditz used the opportunity to vanish and appear behind Vegeta, who was still expecting more blasts.

Somehow, Raditz still had more to give, and charged up a stronger blast whilst Vegeta realised what had happened. How could he have been so foolish to fall for such weak distractions?!

“Take this!” Raditz fired at close range before Vegeta could shield himself. Normally he could have taken such a blow, but from so close it knocked him back down, and he fell into the water, as the tide had come in considerably from when they first arrived.

“Ugh!” Vegeta spat out the salty water. He was utterly soaked to the bone and freezing. The temperature had plummeted as darkness took hold of his planet.

“Yet another dirty trick! Hmph!” Vegeta waded back through the water, approaching the shore, where Raditz was staring at him with a dumbfounded expression, jaw hanging open and eyes wide like a prey animal that had been cornered.

“What are you gawking at? It’s your fault I’m drenched, now stop staring and get ready to continue our match!” Vegeta barked, but Raditz was trembling. A strong breeze pushed from behind him, and Vegeta realised that the wind was blowing past his shoulders and hitting the back of his neck, like it normally would… but it hadn’t done that since he’d altered it’s shape.

“Y-your hair!” Raditz found the courage to speak.

“Hm?” Vegeta reached his hand up, then gasped. His hair was sticking up again. Clearly whatever the guard had given him, wasn’t very good if mere water was enough to clean off that gunk! His hair had sprung back up into its telltale shape, which proved he was indeed the heir to the throne.

“Oh!” Vegeta wondered if he could play it off. “How… bizarre!” He feigned shock.

“You! You look just like Prince Vegeta!” Raditz walked up to him, peering closer. Now that all the dirt and dust had been washed away, his disguise was slipping further.

“D-do I? How peculiar.” Vegeta avoided eye contact and forced an awkward grin. Soon enough, Gine and Bardock came over, wondering what Raditz and ‘Zukini’ were talking about.

“Boys, are you okay?” Gine noticed the confusion on Raditz’s face, then caught sight of Vegeta. “Oh! Zukini! Your hair!”

“Ah, yes… it’s strange, isn’t it? No matter, we should get back to training-”

“Cut it out, kid.” Bardock glared at him. “You can’t pull the wool over our eyes any longer.”

“So, he really is-” Raditz was awe-struck.

“Yes, I am Prince Vegeta. Prince of all Saiyans.” Vegeta had never sounded so deflated when saying that.

“But, why did you do all of this?” Raditz walked cautiously around Vegeta, inspecting him. “You really got us good… but why run away?”

“I don’t need to explain myself to you!” Vegeta could finally be his true self at least, and show them that he was above them, in every way.

“I get it…” Gine kneeled down, though it seemed to be due to more than just respect for her monarch. She grasped his shoulders, and he met her gaze. “You were bored all by yourself, huh?”

“Bored?” Raditz scoffed. “If I lived in a big palace and had all that money and power I’d never get bored!”

“I… I thought it would be an interesting experiment, that’s all.” Vegeta shrugged.

“You’ve caused everyone a great deal of trouble, kid!” Bardock scolded him, not even bothered that this boy could kill him in an instant.

“Hmph… at least they bother to think of me when I’m gone.” The prince huffed. His father must be losing it, as he deserves.

“So, you felt ignored and ran away for a day?” Raditz stretched his arms behind his head. “No wonder I thought you were a little weird!”

“What was that?!” Vegeta growled, and Gine gasped as he brushed her hands away from him.

“No! No, I-I mean that like, um, I knew you were different from the other kids! I mean, I didn’t know you were the prince, but I wondered if you really were like us…” Raditz explained, nervously chuckling as his sentence trailed off.

“There’ll be time for talking on the way to the palace, now let’s get moving!” Bardock was already hovering above the ground.

“But, father, what if they suspect you-” Raditz began but Vegeta took to the air, interrupting him.

“No, I’ll confess to what happened. I won’t allow my father to accuse you of anything, since I’m the one who left on my own… as if any of you are even strong enough to take ahold of me.” The prince smirked, and Bardock rolled his eyes.

Gine and Raditz followed. Despite Bardock’s order, they weren’t flying rapidly, and were able to talk mid-air.

“So, you like us, right?!” Raditz exclaimed. “Does that mean the king will give us money!?”

“Hmph! I never said that!” Vegeta asserted himself, crossing his arms as he flew. “I was holding back most of my thoughts so as to not reveal my identity!”

“I dunno… I think you really had fun today!” Raditz giggled, doing a loop in the air. “Do you like being a prince more than just a lowly orphan boy? Or would you do it again-”

“Be quiet, you fool!” Vegeta snapped, turning his head sharply to glare at this annoying boy who he’d been saddled with all day. “I can easily shut you up now that I’m myself!”

“Hey! Don’t forget that if it wasn’t for me, you’d be in so much trouble with the market women!” Raditz smugly retorted and his mother gasped,

“You weren’t stealing again, were you?!”

“N-no!” Raditz shook his head vigorously, and his long hair tossed wildly in the wind. The sight of the palace was getting closer. “Our dear prince was hungry and just accidentally stole, and I had to help him!”

“Hmph, I see.” Gine eyed her son suspiciously, then addressed her prince, “I think perhaps you should find a way to give back what you owe to the vendors.”

Vegeta didn’t reply, but he did consider it. The food was good, and good efforts should be rewarded accordingly.

They landed in front of the main gate of the palace, where there was now only one guard on duty. “Halt!” He yelled, holding out one hand. “What business do you low-classes have-”

“Have some respect, Niono!” Vegeta commanded him, stepping around Bardock, and now in full view of the guard. “These peasants have treated me well during my… public relations experiment, now let us in! Your Prince has returned home, and let everyone know!”

“R-Right away, sire!” The man pressed down on his scouter’s button at his ear and informed the others that Vegeta was at last home, delivered by Bardock himself.

The gates opened and Vegeta led the way. That Raditz was gawking at everything, but it made sense for a boy who’d only ever heard of the power and majesty of what lay beyond the gates. His mother stayed close to Bardock and kept a watchful eye on her son who turned his head to and fro as they entered the main hallway. A crimson carpet stretched out across the floor, above the purple marble floor, with matching pillars.

“Oh, wow, everything’s so cool! It’s so big in here, my voice echoes!” Raditz commented, then whistled as he saw an impressive ornament on a pillar, encased in glass. “What is it?” He stopped to look, standing on the tips of his toes to get a good view.

“That is a relic from Sadala, one of the only things we have left from when our people emigrated due to the planet’s destruction.” Vegeta answered, still walking proudly ahead.

“It was made to honour King Vegeta the First, my ancestor, after he-”

“Stopped the civil war!” Raditz interjected, keen to show off his knowledge. “Wow… it’s all shiny… but this glass is dirty! Here, I’ll clean it for you, Prince Vegeta!” The low-class boy exhaled onto the glass, his breath moistening its exterior. He rubbed at the glass to get rid of the supposed dirt, but he was pushing the glass case backwards without realising.

“Stop, you fool!” Vegeta called out to him, his hand outstretched to tell him to halt.

“What?” Raditz turned his head, and his long hair swished and brushed against the glass case which was on the edge of its stand, forcing the ornament it was protecting to the edge too. The force of his hair was enough to push it over, and the prince leapt into action, displaying his insane agility as he caught the ornament, clutching it close to his chest, but the glass case shattered.

“Oops…” Raditz gulped. “W-well, now you know to use stronger glass!” He ran his fingers through his hair and stared down at the mess he’d made. Vegeta scowled, the hair of his tail puffing up,

“You’re incredibly lucky! My father would have your tail if you had broken it!”

“Raditz! That was so careless!” Gine shook her head. “This is why I don’t like you hanging around at work, I-”

“What is this commotion!?”

A deep commanding voice boomed. Raditz's parents dropped to their knees.

“Vegeta, my son!” The fearless war hero ignored the others, placing his hands on the boy's shoulders.

“Where have you-”

“Father, your weakness should not be expressed publicly!” The Prince brushed off the King's hands, though his tail could not hide his affection, curling it around his father's calf.

Raditz smiled from around the corner of the stand, though he really should have been bowing.

“Ahem!” The King stood tall, his pride shining through once again as he addressed his subjects.

“I have received word that the Prince has been under your care.”

“Yes, your majesty.” Bardock responded.

“Bardock…” The King smirked. “I didn't expect a man like you to have been merciful to a supposed orphan.”

Bardock stared up at him, thinly veiled malice in his eyes.

“Would you rather I have turned your son away?”

“...You have my gratitude.”

The King turned his back, letting Vegeta follow along as they walked down the hall.

“Is that it?!”

Raditz was still by the pillar, hiding himself just behind it as he watched the King, but he stepped out, his tail fur standing on end.

The royals turned. His parents were still kneeling, immobilised by the presence of their rulers, but Raditz puffed out his chest.

King Vegeta furrowed his brows and pointed, “You will respect-”

“Us! For giving Zukini- I mean, Vegeta, a meal! And for returning him home safely!” Raditz pointed back, sweat beading on his forehead.

“He is the Prince of all Saiyans, and I am your King! What my son has done has inconvenienced you, and he will be punished…”

He gave a sharp glare at Vegeta who looked down and gulped.

“But, I could very easily punish you for disrespect! What is it that you even wish for, child?!”

“He doesn't wish for anything, your majesty! Forgive him, he's just a boy-” Gine pleaded, pressing her forehead to the ground.

“Enough!” The King shouted, gesturing for Raditz to come forth with one hand. The boy complied, pushing through his fears, willing his legs not to shake.

“You're brave. Like your father.” The King said, and Raditz saw a wry smile upon his face.

“I like that in a warrior.”

Raditz let out the breath he was holding.

“But!” The King raised his hand, his finger pointing up to the high ceiling. “As a low class, you should know when it will get you killed.”

“Y-you’re not-” Raditz felt suddenly nauseous.

“Killing you would detract from how my people see me… besides, it would be a shame to see a brave soldier lost so young.” The King chuckled, then folded his arms.

“My son, what shall we reward them with? Do you think they deserve it?”

The young boy stared at Raditz, who stared back. Their eyes were the same colour. So was their blood.

But to a royal like Vegeta, Raditz knew he was nothing special. Another pawn.

The prince lifted his head high, cleared his throat and announced,

“My reward is one of opportunity. I will grant Raditz, who has strength that, yes, whilst still of his class, has surprised me, as well as his wit. You will be paid to undertake training here at the Palace, and for joining me on missions with me and Commander Nappa. Do you accept my offer?”

Raditz blinked rapidly, stifling a nervous laugh. Had his ears deceived him?

“Um…” Raditz turned back to look at his parents. “Can I do it?”

He had never seen his father smile so wide. His mother bit her lip, closing her eyes as she nodded. He knew he was still young, perhaps too young for this. But then again, he knew that his father's pay wasn't enough to support him and Kakarot, who was still in incubation. If Raditz went on missions with people that strong, he could make it back home alive, and his mother wouldn't have to work to the bone every day.

“Yeah, let's do it!” Raditz giggled. The royals made the same puzzled expression at him.

“Oh, um, I mean… Yes, your Majesty…um, Majesties. I humbly accept, and thank you for this offer.”

“You may leave.”

The King said, then turned away.

On the flight home, Raditz couldn't help but think that maybe, deep down, Vegeta wanted him to come because he saw Raditz as a friend. They were both Saiyan children at the end of the day, and whilst friendship wasn't always valued, camaraderie, was.

Maybe there wasn't so much difference between a prince and a peasant, after all.